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Introduction.
33
The custom seems to have been general in all ranks of life.
Some years back a substantial gold wedding-ring was found inside a cod-fish, caught in Hants Harbour, Newfoundland: it bore this posy inside, cut in block letter,—
“May God above continew our love.”
Doubtless this ring could tell a tale if it could only speak and let us know the history of its chequered career.
Dr. John Thomas, Bishop of Lincoln, appears to have been tolerably used to the marriage service; on marrying his fourth wife he is said to have chosen for his posy,—
“If I survive I’ll make them five.”
Another reverend Bishop (Cokes) gave his wife a ring on her marriage, on which were represented a Hand, a Heart, a Mitre, and a Death’s Head, with posy,—
“These three I give to thee
Till the fourth set me free.”
Till the fourth set me free.”
